During the flooding itself, numerous farmers and neighbours stepped up to help evacuate some 6,000 dairy cattle from impacted farms, then caring for the animals until they could return to their home farms.
鈥淎s farmers, it鈥檚 not always in our nature to ask for help,鈥� says Holger Schwichtenberg, chair of the BC Dairy Association and an Agassiz dairy farmer. 鈥淏ut our community came through for us. They offered support in whatever ways they could, both in that critical moment and in the weeks since. We are truly grateful for that support. From fellow dairy farmers to milk truck drivers, feed suppliers, to the Ministry of Agriculture and even complete strangers, everyone did what they could to help.鈥�
This month, BC鈥檚 dairy farmers are saying 鈥榯hank you鈥� to everyone who was there for them through a which began airing on Jan. 3 and will run until the end of the month. The spot features BC dairy farmers speaking over footage of flood recovery efforts, and bears a simple message: 鈥淭hank you for being there for us.鈥�
BC Dairy is also partnering with Black Press to recognize community heroes who have made a difference over the past year, shining a spotlight on the incredible community spirit evident in recent months. From Jan. 10 to 31, BC Dairy is accepting nominations for 鈥楲ocal Heroes鈥欌�� people who have gone above and beyond to support their community in 2021.
Nominees will be contacted by BC Dairy to be featured at BCDairy.ca and on social media throughout the month. Featured nominees will be entered to win one of five $500 prizes. For more information and to nominate a hero, visit
About the BC Dairy Flood Recovery Fund 鈥� Closing Jan. 31
Although BC Dairy Association is not a registered charity, in response to overwhelming interest from the public, a temporary Flood Recovery fund was established on Nov. 17. Since then, donations came in directly from members of the public, and through a set up by a Maple Ridge resident and dairy farmer.
Major contributions were also made by generous dairy industry partners, including:
鈥� $100,000 from , a farmer-owned genetics company
鈥� $100,000 from , a provider of quality dairy and food products and services
鈥� $113,000 from , an Abbotsford-based speciality milk processor
鈥� $100,000 from , a farm genetics company
鈥� $41,000 from Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
鈥� $25,000 from , a provider of products and services to the dairy industry
Several dairy producer regions, representing and funded by local dairy farmers, also made donations, including:
鈥� $100,000 from Mainland Milk Producers
鈥� $12,000 from Kootenay Milk Producers
鈥� $15,000 from the Kamloops Okanagan Dairy Association
鈥� $10,000 from the Western Dairy Council, an association of dairy processors
As of Jan. 31, 2022 BC Dairy will close the Flood Recovery fund and will no longer be accepting contributions. Members of the public who wish to make a financial contribution in support of flood affected communities may consider donating to the .
About BC Dairy Association
BC Dairy is a not-for-profit association that represents BC鈥檚 470 dairy farmers. The association supports the growth and long-term business success of BC鈥檚 dairy farms. BC Dairy represents BC in a strong national dairy system committed to providing Canada with high quality, responsibly farmed, healthy dairy products. BC Dairy takes direction from a Board of elected and appointed dairy producer representatives, and is operated by a staff team.
